Ernest Health

Beat the heat and prevent dehydration this summer with these easy ways to increase your water intake:

• Drink a glass of water first thing in the morning
• Use a fun or colorful reusable water bottle
• Set a goal for how much water you plan to drink daily; challenge yourself to meet or exceed that goal
• Take a full water bottle with you every time you leave the house
• Set an alarm on your phone as a reminder to drink
• Eat water-dense fruits and vegetables
• Limit sugary beverages like soda and fruit juice
• Change it up: Drink 1% or skim milk, unsweetened teas, or infused water with fruit

Happy 4th of July!

Today, we celebrate alongside our patients who are reclaiming their independence from injuries, illnesses, or chronic medical conditions.

Every year, thousands of people require medical treatment after being injured by fireworks. If you choose to use legal fireworks this summer, consider these tips:
• Keep water nearby
• Light fireworks correctly
• Steer away from any failed fireworks
• Set off fireworks in an open, clear area
• Never try to re-light fireworks
• Never lean your body over a firework when lighting
• Supervise children handling sparklers
• Wear protective eyewear
• If injured, get medical attention immediately

Swimming is a beneficial activity for older adults that helps to build core muscles and improve balance, which can lower the risk of falls. A low-impact exercise that’s easy on the joints, swimming also can reduce the pain that comes with arthritis and may help to lower the risk of heart disease, stroke, dementia, and sarcopenia (loss of muscle mass and strength).

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, while memory problems are typically one of the first warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias; other warning signs should not be ignored:
• Memory loss that disrupts daily life
• Challenges in planning or solving problems
• Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work, or at leisure
• Confusion with time or place
• Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relations
• New problems with words in speaking or writing
• Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps
• Decreased or poor judgment
• Withdrawal from work or social activities
• Changes in mood and personality

By 2030, it’s predicted that more than 70 million people will be 65 years or older, and that 85-90% of them will have a driver’s license.

While driving helps older adults stay mobile and independent, the risk of being injured or killed in a traffic crash increases as you age. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, older adults’ driving abilities may be affected by changes in vision, physical functioning, and the ability to reason or remember, as well as some diseases and medications. The good news is, however, that older adults are more likely to have safer driving behaviors than other age groups.
Some suggestions for older drivers include:
• Always wear a seat belt.
• Ask your doctor or pharmacist to review medications and possible side effects.
• Have your eyes checked annually.
• Plan out your route ahead of time.
• Drive when conditions are safest.
• Avoid distractions while driving.
• Leave a large following distance between you and the car in front of you.

Do you know the difference between Alzheimer's disease and dementia? The terms are often used interchangeably, but they’re not the same. Dementia is a general term for the deterioration of memory, the decline of thinking, or the inability to make decisions. There are many types of dementias.

Alzheimer's disease is a type of dementia. It accounts for 60-80% of all dementia cases, making it the most common form.

Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month
Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias are a major public health issue. Join the global conversation to raise awareness of these diseases.

If you suspect someone may be having a stroke, BE FAST and call 911. Any of the symptoms below could be a sign of stroke:
• B – Balance. Loss of balance or dizziness.
• E – Eyes. Change in vision.
• F – Face. Face droops.
• A – Arm. Weakness or numbness in arms.
• S – Speech. Trouble speaking or confusion.
• T – Time to call 911.
The sooner someone receives treatment for a stroke, the better the prognosis following the stroke will be.

A stroke can happen to anyone at any time. There are various risk factors for a stroke, some are manageable while others are beyond an individual’s control.

Risk factors that can’t be changed include age, race, gender, and family history. However, manageable risk factors include:
• High blood pressure
• Atrial fibrillation (A-fib)
• High cholesterol
• Smoking
• Diabetes
• Poor circulation
• Lack of physical activity
• Obesity
Talk to your healthcare provider to discuss your stroke risks and management of them.

A stroke is a type of brain attack that occurs when the blood vessels in the brain are blocked or burst, depleting the brain of oxygen-rich blood and causing brain cells to die.

There are different types of strokes, including:
• Ischemic stroke – caused when a blood vessel to the brain is blocked. This type of stroke accounts for about 87% of all strokes.
• Hemorrhagic stroke – caused when a weakened blood vessel ruptures.
• Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) – caused by a temporary clot. It’s considered a “warning stroke” and should be taken seriously.

National Nurses Month
Nurses play a significant role in healthcare delivery and community outreach. This month recognizes their vast contributions and positive impact they make on patients.

National Critical Care Awareness and Recognition Month
Celebrating the unwavering and inspiring commitment of critical care clinicians!

American Stroke Month
Every 40 seconds, someone in America has a stroke. The good news is stroke is largely preventable, treatable, and beatable.

If you live with Parkinson’s disease, exercise is vital to help maintain mobility, strength, balance, and flexibility. The Parkinson’s Outcomes Project shows that people with Parkinson’s disease who begin exercising early after diagnosis for a minimum of 2.5 hours a week experience a slower decline in quality of life. An exercise program should include:

• Aerobic Activity
• Strength Training
• Balance, Agility, Multitasking
• Flexibility
For detailed recommendations, visit:
https://www.parkinson.org/library/fact-sheets/exercise-recommendations

The kidneys are two fist-sized, bean-shaped organs that sit on either side of your spine below the ribs. They balance electrolyte levels, filter waste, and remove excess fluids from your blood, which are then eliminated in your urine. All of the blood in your body flows through the kidneys several times each day to be cleansed.

If your kidneys aren't working correctly, it can lead to serious health problems. In fact, several kidney diseases can be life-threatening. Chronic kidney disease, also called chronic kidney failure, involves a gradual loss of kidney function which can cause dangerous levels of fluid, electrolytes, and wastes to build up in the body.
During the initial stages of chronic kidney disease, there may be few symptoms or signs because the kidneys can compensate for the lost function. However, early warning signs may include:
o Nausea and vomiting
o Muscle cramps
o Itching
o Loss of appetite
o Swelling in the lower extremities
o Changes in volume of urine output
o Difficulty sleeping
o Breathlessness
Contact your healthcare provider if you experience any of these symptoms.

For individuals living with Parkinson's disease, taking medications at the appropriate time is crucial to maintaining quality of life. Failure to take medications on time or missing doses can lead to the quick onset of symptoms, usually within 30 minutes of the missed dose. Parkinson's medication works by increasing dopamine levels in the brain or serving as a substitute for dopamine. If dopamine levels are insufficient, the symptoms of Parkinson's disease become apparent.

To ensure timely medication intake, consider setting alarms on phones or smartwatches, requesting family members to remind you of your medication schedule, or using a pillbox with sections for each day and time.

Parkinson’s Awareness Month
Parkinson’s disease is a chronic, progressive, neurological disease that affects about 1 million people in the United States.

National Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month
More than 5.6 million Americans live with limb loss and limb difference, affecting people of all backgrounds, socioeconomic statuses, genders, races, ages, and other demographics. This month of recognition creates awareness of this community and how it thrives.

Occupational therapists work with patients to design personalized interventions that support daily activities following disabling injuries or illnesses.

The impact of occupational therapy on the quality of life and pain self-efficacy of patients with chronic diseases is significant. According to a study conducted in 2023, individuals who received occupational therapy services demonstrated better pain self-efficacy and overall quality of life in comparison to those who didn’t receive such services.

April is Occupational Therapy Month!
Celebrating our occupational therapists who help patients advance their health, well-being, and quality of life!

Please see this message of appreciation from our President and CEO in celebration of Doctors’ Day 2024!

According to the Harvard Medical School, head injuries from falling are a common cause of hospitalization and even death for individuals 65 years or older. To help make a senior’s space safer:

• Remove home hazards like throw rugs, extension cords, extra items on stairs or in hallways
• Include extra lighting in living spaces and make the on/off switches easily accessible
• Install assistive devices like handrails, grab bars, and raised toilet seats
• Regularly review medications with a doctor
• Help the individual stay as physically active as possible
• Encourage the wearing of sensible shoes

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) result in nearly 2.8 million emergency situations every year. Recovery requires professional medical care and can take months or even years, but cognitive exercises like those below can help throughout the healing process:

• New Experiences – Try doing new things. When you have new experiences, your brain starts making new neurons.
• Pay Attention to Your Food - As you eat new or known foods, try to name the ingredients that you taste.
• Sensory Experiences – Try experiences that require multiple senses, like a walk outside or dining at a restaurant.
• Switch Hands – Use your non-dominate hand for a few activities each day.
• Memorization – Try memorizing things a little at a time. Practice remembering your grocery list, words to a song, or a relative’s phone number.
• Draw a Map - Draw a map using just your memory, possibly of your neighborhood or town.
• Read Out Loud – If that’s too challenging at first, listen to an audiobook.
• Challenge Your Fine Motor Skills – Try drawing, painting, playing a board game, or putting together a puzzle.
• Keep a Journal – Instead of using it like a diary, keep track of your experiences with your senses.
• Do Mental Math – Start with easy addition or subtraction, then work your way to harder problems.

Celebrating Martin Luther King Day

“If you can’t fly then run,
If you can’t run then walk,
If you can’t walk then crawl,
But whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward.”

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Any bump or blow to the head has concussion potential. Concussion symptoms may occur immediately or days/weeks later and can include:

• Headache
• Concentration or memory issues
• Nausea
• Changes in sleep habits
• Dizziness
• Feeling sluggish or “foggy”
• Blurred vision
• Light sensitivity

If you suspect someone you know may have a concussion, seek medical attention.

January is National Blood Donor Month.

Every two seconds, someone in the United States needs blood. Blood donations help a multitude of people, including those who have experienced accidents, surgeries, organ transplants, or chronic illnesses. According to the American Red Cross, one blood donation can save more than one life.

Join us in celebrating and raising awareness for the incredible impact blood donors have on saving lives.

Do you want an easy way to enhance your health? Improve the quality and quantity of your sleep, and you can enrich your physical and mental health. Good sleep can influence the body’s ability to:

• Repair and grow tissue
• Build bone and muscle
• Strengthen your body’s immune system
• Strengthen cognitive abilities

So shut off your phone, lights, and noise, and catch some Zzzz’s for your health.

New Year’s Day

May the New Year bring you happiness, peace, and prosperity. Wishing you a joyous 2024!